Potters pursue pace in summer sales

25 August 2013 04:02

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is hoping to inject more pace into his team in the remaining days of the transfer window.

When he was appointed as manager this summer, Hughes inherited a Potters outfit with a reputation for football that was direct, physical and often very effective.

He has indicated his intention to get the Staffordshire club playing in a more dynamic, attractive manner without entirely abandoning the aspects of the old style that had proved successful.

There was evidence of both an on-the-floor passing game and the more familiar lofted deliveries into the box in Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League win over Crystal Palace at the Britannia Stadium - Hughes' maiden home game in charge, and the first points he has collected in the job.

And asked after the contest about making new signings before the window closes on September 2, Hughes said: "We need a few extra faces and possibly a little bit more pace in the side than we have at the moment.

"So we will look for that type of player I would suggest.

"But a lot of clubs and managers are looking at the same types of players, so it is not easy to get them over the line at the moment."

So far this summer, Hughes has signed two defenders in Erik Pieters and Marc Muniesa, as well striking a deal that will see striker Juan Agudelo join Stoke in January.

He added: "We are trying to get a few more bodies in just to add to the quality we have got.

"This window has been quite frustrating in fairness. But we are still in the mix for a number of players.